Decabromodiphenyl ether(decaBDE)is one of the most popular flame retardants used with polystyrene.The interest in the thermal decomposition of decaBDE has intensified due to its potential production of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins(PBDD)or dibenzofurans(PBDF)in the thermal recycle of plastic waste.Kinetics of thermal decomposition of decaBDE was studied by non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis(TGA).The three-dimensional diffusion model was found to be the best correlation of TGA data by the general integration method.The activity energy and logarithmic pre-exponential factor were found to be 122.7 kJ·mol-1 and 74.3 s-1 in TGA of decaBDE.In the process of thermal decomposition of decaBDE in the atmosphere of nitrogen

solid decaBDE melt at 306℃ and then vaporized in the temperature range of 400-450℃.When PS was blended with decaBDE

the decomposition temperature of the mixture was lower than that of virgin PS and a higher temperature was needed to complete pyrolysis.The infrared spectral characteristics of 1

3-diphenylbutane was detected in the pyrolysis vapor-phase products of the mixture

whereas styrene was usually found in the pyrolysis product of PS.It indicated that the active groups released from decaBDE changes the path of depolymerization in thermal decomposition of PS.